Just Enemies

Chapter 38

Julie moaned in her sleep when she felt someone slapping her butt.

“Aray!”

“Bes naman kasi! Ang ingay ng alarm mo hindi ka magising gising!”

Napaangat na ng ulo si Julie nang marinig na nagsalita si Maqui. She glanced at her phone on the bed side table. It wasn't an alarm. It was Elmo calling her again so early in the morning.

“Ahhh!” Nagulat siya nang lumingon at makita na nakanguso na pala si Maqui sa may likuran niya habang sinisilip kung sino ang tumawag sa kanya.

“Alam mo bes…” Nakanguso pa rin na sabi ni Maqui. “Tangina ka eh no. Ginawa mong evacuation center itong condo ko hayerp ka. Tinataguan mo lang pala si Elmo.”

Yes for the past few days ay kay Maqui muna siya nakikitulog. Ayaw pa kasi talaga niya harapin ulit si Elmo.

“E halatang mau gusto pa rin sayo yang ex mo. Patulan mo na!” Maqui said just as Julie closed her phone for the nth time. Aga aga nambubulabog nanaman ito si Elmo.

Napaupo na din sa kama si Julie kaya pareho sila ngayon ni Maqui na nakasandal sa headboard. 

“I told you bes. He's a playboy. Ediba. Ga nung isang araw hinahalikan yung katrabaho niyang patay na patay sa kanya?”

Maqui rolled her eyes at that. “Give him the benefit of the doubt bes!” 

Julie crinkled her nose at what her best friend was saying. “Anong benefit of the doubt e hinahalikan nga!”

“Malay mo naman si Sophie yung unang nanghalik!”

Julie rolled her eyes yet again. “It doesn't erase the fact that he's a playboy Maq. Libog lang din yun siguro kaya touchy sa akin nung may lagnat siya.”

“May lagnat na at lahat libog pa rin?” Maqui chuckled. “E diba gusto mo rin naman siya? What's stopping you?”

Sa pagkakataon na ito ay napabuntong hininga nanaman si Julie bago ipinikit ang mga mata. “I just don't want to get hurt again bes.”

Hindi niya narinig na sumagot ulit sa kanya si Maqui.

Kaya nang tignna niya ulit ito ay nakita niyang nakasimangot lang ito. Hanggang sa inirapan siya ng pinakamatalik na kaibigan.

“Pinapatagal mo pa e doon din naman ang bagsak niyo.”

Gusto pa sana sumagot ni Julie kaso tumayo na mula sa kama si Maqui at iniwan siya doon.

Saka naman siya muling napalingon sa kanyang telepono na nakapatong pa rin sa bedside table.

Ewan ba niya bakit tawag ng tawag ito si Elmo e sinabi naman niya na kay Maqui muna siya mamamalagi. Pero hindi niya sinabi na maghahanap din siya kasi ng bagong matitirhan.

May prospect na siyang apartment na walking distance lang sa boutique.

“Akala ko ba magluluto ka?” Julie asked Maqui when she saw her best friend just drinking some coffee.

“E tinatamad ako. Magluto ka.”

Julie chuckled as she tied her hair before fixing her running shoes. “Magj-jog pa ako remember?”

“I can wait. Yung omelette mo ah.” Ani pa Maqui sa kanya.

Julie laughed and moved to kiss Maqui's cheek before walking out of the apartment. “Bye Maq!”

“Bye sexy!”

Julie rode the elevator from Maqui's apartment to the streets down. Maganda ang ambiance ng neighborhood dahil pinaghalo ang matataas na building at mga puno.

Kaya hindi masyado mainit.

Julie was in the middle of the street doing her stretches when she saw a familiar face on the other side of the street.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Hi Luh.” Bati sa kanya ni Elmo. Aba at naka jogging attire din ang loko.

“Dito ka talaga magjojogging?” Julie asked incredulously. “Ang ganda ganda doon sa village natin—” Natigilan si Julie. Hindi na nga pala niya iyon village.

“You won't answer my calls.”

Julie rolled her eyes at the man. “Pwede ba Elmo…sabi ko…lilipat na ako okay? Diba yun naman ang gusto mo noon?”

Elmo's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her. “Wala ako sinabi na lumipat ka ng bahay. Ang sabi ko, hindi ako lilipat ng bahay.”

“Same difference.” Julie said. Ngayon na wala na itongagnat ay bumalik ang pagkainis niya sa lalaki. Lalo na kapag naaalala ang eksenang…iyon.

Magsisimula na sana siya magjogging nang hawakan ni Elmo ang kamay niya. “May ginawa ba ako Luh?”

Nakasimangot na tiningnan ni Julie ang lalaki. “Wala. Sino may sabi? Bakit ba ang kulit mo?”

Imbis na lumaban ay nakita ni Julie na malungkot lang siyang tinitingnan ng lalaki.

No Julie. Don't fall for it. She told herself.

“Just…stay away from me Elmo. Wala naman dahilan para magsama tayo diba?” She told him before jogging away.

Hindi niya natiis at lingon ang lalaki na nakita niyang nakatungo lang sa kung saan niya ito iniwan. In fairness. Magaling umarte.

Nakailang ikot din siya sa neighborhood pero hindi naman niya na nakita si Elmo. Aba hindi nagjogging. So siya lang ba talaga pinuntahan nito?

“Ano nagkita kayo?” Yun ang bumungad sa kanya nang makita niya si Maqui pagbalik sa loob ng apartment.

Nakangisi ito sa kanya.

“So ikaw pala nagsabi.”

“Pero nagusap nga kayo?” Tila batang excited na sabi ni Maqui.

“Hindi ko siya kinausap.” Sagot ni Julie bago naglakad patungo sa may fridge para kumuha ng tubig.

Nawala ang ngiti sa muhka ni Maqui. “Ba naman bes! Yun na yung moment niyo eh!”

“Pwede ba Maq! Ayoko nga kasi siya kausapin! If he wants to add me to his list then he's not gonna achieve it!”

Nanahimik na din si Maqui. Hindi niya kasi alam kung saan nanggaling ang galit niya.

Kaya naman kinalma muna niya ang sarili bago umupo sa tabi ng pinakamatalik na kaibigan.

“Bes sorry. A-ayoko kasi sumali sa gulo. Ayoko maging isa sa mga babae niya.”

“Kung kinakausap mo muna kasi bes eh.” Kalmado din na sabi ni Maqui.

Sighing, Julie looked away. “Duwag kasi ako Maq okay? Duwag ako.”

Nanahimik lang si Maqui. “Edi wala na talaga mangyayari sa inyong dalawa.” Saka siya nito iniwan mag-isa sa may kusina.

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It was the night of the party and Julie was all ready.

“Kahit asar ako sayo ang ganda mo talaga baklaaaaa.” Ani Maqui habang inaayos nag suot na gown ni Julie.

It was a mermaid type orange gown na strapless at may sweet heart cut, one of her own designs.

“Ayaw mo kay Elmo pero inaakit mo. Iba ka talaga bes.”

Julie rolled her eyes and chuckled as she fixed her hair. “Hindi ko siya inaakit no. Saka magandang avenue ito para maipakitang gilas ang designs ko.”

“You mean yang boobs mo? Oo bes oo.”

Natigil ang usapan nila nang marinig ang pag door bell sa apartment ni Maqui.

“O ayan na date mo.”

Julie breathed in. Tuloy pa rin ang usapan na si Elmo ang date niya kaya wala na siya nagawa pa nang dumating na ang araw na ito.

Maqui quickly opened the door and Elmo entered, looking dashing in his midnight blue coat that fit him to the T with his white button undershirt not quite buttoned to the top.

“Wow.” Mahinang bulong ni Elmo nang makita siya.

“Ganda nooooo.”

Julie smirked and just grabbed her purse that was on the couch. Saka siya dumeretso ng tayo at tiningnan din ng maigi si Elmo. The guy cleaned up good, she had to say.

“O sige sige na malelate na kayo!” Excited na sabi ni Maqui. Akala mo magulang na pinapanuod ang anak bago lumabas papunta sa prom.

Lalakad na sana palabas ng pinto ang dalawa nang tawagin sila ulit ni Maqui.

“Teka teka! Picture muna kayo dali!”

“Maq…”

“Pose! Bilis!”

At wala na nagawa pa si Julie nang iikot ni Elmo ang braso sa kanyang balikat at ngumiti sa telepono ni Maqui nanakaabang na sa kanila.

Nang ma satisfy ay pinalayas na sila sa wakas ni Maqui matapos ata ang isang dosenang kuha ng litrato sa kanila.

Tahimik lang si Julie nang sumakay sa likod ng limousine at sumunod naman sa kanya si Elmo.

She not once glanced at him.

“Julie ano ba kasi nangyari?” Muhkang hindi na natiis na sabi ni Elmo.

Iritableng tiningnan ni Julie ang lalaki. “Wala nga kasi. Pwede ba Elmo wag mo simulan ngayon. I want to have a good time tonight.”

At dahil doon, hindi na nakaimik si Elmo.

Hanggang sa nakarating sila sa venue.

Elmo helped her out of the limousine and was immediately asked by the official photographer to take a picture.

Their smiles were limited as they posed for the camera.

Pumasok na sila sa loob ng venue at kaagad na nakita ni Julie ang kapatid na nakikipagsalamuha sa mga miyembro ng board ng kompanya.

“Ah, ito po ang kapatid ko mga sir.” Ani Yasser nang makalapit si Julie at si Elmo. “And you know Mr. Magalona of course.”

“Good evening sirs.” Elmo said, shaking hands with the members.

“Ah magandang gabi Elmo.” Bale ng isang matanda at napatingin kay Julie Anne. “Ito pala ang panganay ni John, kakabalik mo lang daw mula sa Estados Unidos iha?”

Julie smiled. “Matagal tagal na din po sir. Just putting up my boutique.”

“Pero may balak ka din mag work para sa SJH?” One curiously asked.

Julie chuckled. “I’ll leave that to my baby brother sir.”

“Sabagay. Nandyan din naman si Elmo. Mapapangasawa mo naman.” At humalakhak ang isang board member.

Sasagot pa sana si Julie nang iikot ni Elmo ang braso sa bewang niya. “I’ll handle the company, I'll let Julie do with her craft.”

At mahinang ngumiti naman ang mga miyembro.

“If you will excuse us. I think I see Papa over there.” Ani Elmo nang makita si John na nasa kabilang dulo ng ball room.

Julie smiled at them as Elmo led her, his hand still possessively on the small of her back.

Nang medyo makalayo sila ay pasimpleng tumigil si Julie sa isang tabi at umikot para tingnan si Elmo.

“Elmo…ang usapan date lang kita. Hindi fiancee.”

“Do this for the investors Luh.” Elmo said. He towered over her while looking down. They were so close together so that people couldn't hear what they were talking about.

Hindi na umimik pa si Julie hanggang sa hilain siya ni Elmo papunta sa ama.

Maraming tao ang bumabati sa kanila habang hindi pa nagsisimula ang mismong programa.

“Good evening po Papa.” Ani Elmo at nagmano kay John.

“Where’s Mama?” Julie asked as she saddled up to kiss her dad's cheeks.

Mahinang natawa si John. “Tinatamad. Nanunuod ng Korean drama sa bahay. Nandito naman daw kayo ni Elmo eh.”

Julie scrunched up her nose at that.

Elmo chuckled nervously as he fixed his inner shirt. “Uhm. Kuha lang po ako saglit ng maiinom natin.”

Julie turned to John who was looking thoughtfully at her.

“Pagbigyan mo na yung bata anak. Sising sisi naman yan sa ginawa nyan sayo eh. Ako pa nga dinadahilan eh.”

Napatingin si Julie sa sinabi ng ama. “Anong ikaw ang dahilan?”

John sighed. “I told him when you were younger that if he loved you, he'd let you follow your dreams.”

This was the first time that Julie heard this. Papa niya? Papa niya ang may kasalanan ng lahat?

“Bago mo ako sigawan…” Mabilis na sabi ni John. “Wala naman ako sinabi na hiwalayan ka niya.”

“Still Pa!” Julie said as she looked at her dad.

But John stayed stoic as he looked at Julie Anne. “Anak…bata pa kayo noon. Ngayong matanda na kayo, alam niyo na gagawin niyo. Kaya ikaw, kung mahal mo talaga, alam mo na ang gagawin mo.”

Napaisip si Julie sa sinabi ng ama.

At di pa rin tumigil si John. “Mas maganda na na established na kayong dalawa bago nagkaron ng relasyon anak. Masyado pa kase kayong bata noon.”

Hindi mapakali si Julie na nag-iwas ng tingin sa ama. Hanggang sa naramdaman niyang hinhalikan nito ang tuktok ng ulo niya. “You can be happy now, choose to be happy.”

Saka ito naglakad palayo sa kung saan man.

Naguguluhan pa rin si Julie sa nalaman mula sa sariling ama. But then again, it didn't change the fact that time had already passed and she and Elmo were two different people now.

Teka nga muna saan na ba ang lalaking iyon? Kukuha lang dapat ng inumin ah?

She made her way through the crowd, smiling at the people as she searched for Elmo.

Nawala na siya sa mismong gitna ng grand hall at napunta sa gilid kung saan nakita na niya kung nasaan si Elmo.

Sumimangot siya nang makita na kausap pala nito si Sophie.

Muhkang seryoso pa ang pinaguusapan ng mga ito. Bakit ba kahit anong sabihin niya sa sarili ay paulit ulit lang din naman siyang magpapakatanga.

Ewan ba niya bakit nakatingin pa siya sa nangyayaring eksena. Pwede naman siya maglakad palayo.

Pero bago pa niya iyon magawa ay  siya namang angat ng tingin ni Elmo. Sakto ay nakita siya nito na nakamasid.

Her face became stoic before she stomped out of there, hauling herself to the bathroom at the end of one corridor.

She closed the door behind her and headed straight for the sink. She closed her eyes for a moment as she placed her hands on the porcelain in front of her.

'Kalma ka lang Julie. After this night everything will be all ove--'

Napatalon siya nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng banyo.

Pero imbis na kapwa babae ang makita auy isang maskuladong lalaki na naka asul ang pumasok sa loob.

“What’re you doing here? This is the girl's bathroom!”

“It's not what you think.” Sagot ni Elmo sabay lock ng pintuan.

Biglang kinabahan si Julie lalo na nang bigyan siya ng malalim na tingin ng lalaki. Para siya nitong kakainin ng buhay.

“Wala naman ako pake kung ano gawin niyo ni Sophie. Sa bahay ko nga naghahalikan kayo diba?”

She saw how Elmo stilled at what she said. “You saw that?”

“It doesn't matter.” Julie answered. “I don't care remember?”

She turned away and washed her hands just so she had an excuse to not look at him.

“Julie it wasn't like that.” Patuloy na paliwanag ni Elmo. “She’s the one who kissed me. I pushed her a—”

“Just stop Elmo!” Galit na sabi ni Julie. Halos manlisik na ang kanyang mga mata habang nakatingin ngayon kay Elmo. “I get it now, marami ka na babae sa buhay. Kahit na, shit lang nalaman ko na binulungan ka pala dati ng Papa ko kaya mo ako iniwan. But I guess hindi gumana plano niya kasi kahit naman mahal pa rin kita hindi na pwede. Mahirap na.”

Elmo's expression changed. At first Julie thought he was having a heart attack or something but then he moved closer to her.

Sa sobrang lapit ay tumama na ang bewang niya sa counter.

“Mahal mo pa ako?”

Yun ang mga salitang lumabas sa bibig ni Elmo.

Iritang tiningnan ni Julie ang lalaki. “Sa lahat ng sinabi ko? Yun lang pumasok sa utak mo?!”

Elmo was grinning now.

“Stop smiling! Hindi na nga importante yon! Sa dami ng babaeng linoloko mo wag mo na ako isama sa listahan mo.”

She gasped when Elmo was now right in front of her, his leg between hers while his hands were on either side of her arms on the counter behind her.

“Luh, I told you, wala na ako ibang babae simula nang bumalik ka. Aaminin ko, hindi ko naisip na babalik ka na ulit because you were so successful back in the states. But now you came back. This is my chance…”

Sinimangutan ni Julie Anne ang lalaki.

“Sino may sabing may chance ka?”

And Elmo just grinned in answer. “You did. Because like you, I am still in love with that girl who used to go to my basketball games, always took care of me even when she was so busy being student council president.”

Sasagot pa sana si Julie pero pano siya magsasalita kung sinasakop na ng bibig ni Elmo ang mga labi niya.

“Luh…” She whispered as Elmo cupped her face and kissed her hard.

“Shhh. I missed kissing you like this.” Ani Elmo. “Ikaw lang Luh. Believe me please.” He whispered yet again before his hands traveled down to her waist which he caressed softly.

They pulled away from each other, both breathing hard just as Elmo buried his face in her neck. “You’re still the love of my life, Luh.”

Naluluhang yinakap pabalik ni Julie Anne ang lalaki. Gustong gusto niya magpakatanga ulit. Gusto na niya talaga.

“Bakit ba balik ako ng balik sayong hayop ka.” She sobbed in his shoulder.

“Shhh. Maybe because you're my Luh and I'm your Luh.” Elmo whispered. He pulled away so that they could look at each other. He wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks before kissing her luscious lips again.

Juli answered back, opening her mouth right in time for Elmo to plunge his tongue in her mouth.

“Mmmm.” They both moaned.

“I-I'm sorry.” Elmo apologized. Masyado nagiging mapusok.

Smiling softly, Julie caressed the man's face. “Basta Elmo Magalona, walang lokohan. Di ka na talaga makakaisang chance pa sa akin.”

Elmo nodded his head like a good little boy. He brought Julie's hand up and kissed the back of it. “I won't. I promise.”

Julie smiled. Maybe her dad was right. Maybe she needed to be happy. Maybe she should.

So she pulled Elmo's head down to give him another kiss.

Napapikit si Elmo at hindi natiis ang iangat ang mga kamay para haplusin ang dibdib ng katipan.

“Luh…tell me to stop.”

Julie moaned back as she kissed Elmo's lips repeatedly. “Don't…”

“Shit.”

Elmo reached out for the zipper on the back of Julie's gown letting it fall in one heap on the floor.

Nakabungisngis na tiningnan ni Julie Anne ang lalaki. “Alam mo talaga kung nasaan a g zipper?”

“I was staring at you the whole time.” Elmo whispered and kissed her again as he gazed at her naked form. Since the gown had padding, Julie wasn't wearing anything underneath except for some sexy as hell panties.

She reached out for his shirt while he quickly removed his coat. They kept kissing each other hungrily until Elmo was left in only his slacks.

He stared at her with desire as he cupped her mounds.

“Luh.” Julie moaned.

But Elmo was too busy staring at her breasts as he circled one nipple with his fingers before lunging for the other and latching his lips unto it.

“Ahhh!”

“Shhh Luh.” Elmo glanced at her, his lips still latched on to one nipple.

Napakapit si Julie sa counter at ipinikit ang mga mata.

At tuluyan nang lumuhod si Elmo sa harap ng babae at mabilisang pinunit ang suot nitong underwear.

“Elmo! You asshole!”

And Elmo chuckled as he pocketed the ruined panties. Then he spread Julie's legs in front of him.

“T-teka lang Luh…”

“You smell so good.” Sabi ni Elmo na nakatingin ngayon sa kanyang pagkababae.

His fingers reached out and spread her pussy lips before he slowly inserted one finger.

“Oh shit Elmo.” Julie said, voice full of pleasure.

Elmo smiled as he continued his ministrations. “My Luh is so tight. Hmmm…shit can't wait.” Then he suddenly pulled his fingers away before thrusting his face against her womanhood to fully eat her out.

“Oh! Oh god…” Julie moaned in pleasure. She closed her eyes while her hands gripped Elmo's hair.

Elmo pushed his tongue inside her wetness, tasting her hard while one hand gripped her thigh and the other spread her wider.

“Luh, I'm going to…oh I'm so close!”

“Yeah Luh, you gonna come for me huh?” Elmo said, slurping her hard until she came all over his face.

Nanginginig ang binti na sinubukan tumayo ni Julie habang pinupunas ni Elmo ang bibig.

KNOCK KNOCK!

They stilled.

“Mam Julie nandyan po ba kayo?” That was one of their employees.

“Ah…yeah! I'm here!” Sagot ni Julie habang nakahawak ang kamay sa balikat ni Elmo.

“Magsstart na daw po ang program. Hanap po kayo ng Papa niyo. Si sir Elmo alam niyo po kung nasan?” Came the employee's muffled voice over the door.

Napahagikhik silang dalawa pero sumenyas si Julie kay Elmo na manahimik.

“Oh sorry I don't know. Baka nasa banyo ng mga lalaki?”

“Okie dokie. Hanapin ko na lang po. Deretso na lang po kayo sa hall mamaya.”

At narinig nilang naglalakad na palayo ang empleyado.

Julie and Elmo couldn't hold back their laughter after that.

“Aww. Sorry Luh. We have to go back.” Julie said.

Elmo smirked as he kissed her once again then cleaned her up. “Okay lang. Pero…I can't hide this though.”

At sabay silang napatingin sa malaking bukol sa harap ng pantalon niya.

Julie put on her gown first before looking at herself in the mirror. Mabuti na lang hindi halata na wala na siyang underwear.

She again smirked as she watched Elmo put his clothes back on.

Then she whispered in his ear. “Mamaya ka sa akin pag-uwi.”


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AN: Hallo peeps! Lamnyona...next week ulit update HAHAAHAHA

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Mwahugz!

Advanced Happy Birthday kay Chez! ☺️